Ransomware attackers block your access to the critical documents stored on your network by encrypting the files that you need for personal or business use. This attack forces organizations and individuals to pay a hefty ransom of Bitcoins to the cybercriminal holding their data hostage.
The malware targets the vulnerable systems of individuals and organizations, which can cause revenue and data loss for companies. . In fact, 66% of organizations have reported a decline in revenue after encountering a ransomware attack.
Although organizations investigating cybercrime are taking measures to limit its spread, malware is proliferating. Research shows that 121 ransomware incidents were reported in the first half of 2021, and this number is only expected to grow.
Types Of Ransomware Attacks to Look Out For
As malware continues to evolve, it’s essential to learn what you are up against. With that in mind, here are the latest ransomware type to watch out for:
Bad Rabbit
Bad Rabbit arrived in 2017 and influenced several organizations mainly situated in Russia and Ukraine. It accessed these company’s servers by facilitating drive-by downloads via a phishing website disguised as Adobe Flash installation.
Like most ransomware, Bad Rabbit encrypted the user’s files and forced them to pay ransom in Bitcoins in exchange for a decryption key.
WannaCry
WannaCry malware spread significantly in 2017 when it infected over 200,000 systems in 150 countries in just a few days. This ransomware primarily targeted individuals who had failed to update their Windows software. Like Bad Rabbit, WannaCry also encrypted the user’s files and demanded ransom for the decryption key.
Jigsaw
Jigsaw announced its presence in April 2016, when it encrypted the victim’s files and demanded a ransom within 72 hours. Moreover, this malware further threatened to delete random files every hour if the ransom went unpaid.
CryptoLocker
CryptoLocker appeared in September 2013 and infiltrated 250,000 computers over three months. It spread through the GameOver ZeuS botnet, as well as via email attachments. This malware encrypted the victim’s files and called for the ransom amount to be paid within a 72-hour deadline, or else all files would be deleted.
Petya
Petya emerged in 2016, and its modus operandi was to lock the victims out of their hard drives. The malware targeted weaknesses in Microsoft’s Windows operating system. Once the malware was installed, it infected the Master Boot Record (MBR), which initiated the system’s reboot. The reboot facilitated the master file table encryption to direct the users to the ransom note.
As you can see, despite the type of ransomware, they often work in the same ways. The solution is to take solid backups, to keep networks patched and up to date, as well as to use sophisticated anti-malware on any database and endpoint. Organizations have lost millions of dollars due to ransomware, but planning ahead can help you avoid being a victim.
If you’re looking for ways to take your company’s network security to the next level, consider more than the basics of network security. Many businesses are preventing the proliferation of malicious software by using anti-virus on everything from desktops and laptops all the way to portable USB drives. If you’re looking for some of the only secure drives with built in anti-malware, check out DataLocker’s line of encryption solutions.